Rajahmundry Kidney Failure Crisis Deepens as Death Toll Reaches Five
The tragic health crisis unfolding in Rajahmundry has taken a more severe turn, with the death toll from acute kidney failure cases rising to five as of Tuesday. The latest victim is a six-year-old boy, Bathina Manohar, from the Quarry Market area, who was suffering from anuria. He was admitted to King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam but succumbed to his condition on Tuesday.
Police Investigation Uncovers Adulterated Milk Network
In a parallel development, police investigations into Case No. 90/2026 of the III Town Law & Order Police Station have uncovered alarming details. Initially registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), the case has now been altered to include Sections 103, 105, and 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The focus has shifted to serious lapses involving adulterated milk being sold in the region.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kovvur, G Deva Kumar, the primary accused, Addala Ganeswara Rao alias Ganesh (32), a resident of Narasapuram village in Korukonda mandal, voluntarily appeared before the police on February 23. During interrogation conducted in the presence of mediators, he made a shocking confession.
Unauthorized Dairy Operation for Over a Decade
Ganesh admitted to operating an unauthorized milk collection center named Varalakshmi Dairy for the past 11 years without any government approval. His statement revealed a critical incident: glycol from the freezer used to store milk had leaked, contaminating the milk supply. On February 15, he noticed that milk in one can had frozen at the bottom, a clear sign of potential contamination.
Despite receiving early complaints of bitterness from initial customers—including Chonga Ramakrishna, Chonga Govindaraju, Peddapati Nageswara Rao, and Dengeti Nagendra—Ganesh chose to ignore the warnings. His brother-in-law, Degala Gangadhara of Narendra Puram, had specifically cautioned him that the defective freezer might be leaking glycol, which could render the milk poisonous, and advised against selling it.
Profit-Driven Sale Leads to Widespread Illness
Driven by profit motives, the accused disregarded all warnings and sold the contaminated milk on February 16 to approximately 100–105 consumers in Rajamahendravaram and his village. Subsequently, many customers reported bitterness and fell ill, requiring urgent treatment at various hospitals. The severity of the case escalated further when it was established that Tadi Krishnaveni of Gandhipuram-4 died on February 22 after consuming the adulterated milk.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigation
Police have arrested the accused and initiated legal proceedings to produce him before the court for judicial remand. The court has remanded him until March 10. The investigation is currently ongoing, with authorities focusing on gathering technical evidence and reviewing medical reports of the affected victims to build a comprehensive case.
This incident highlights critical gaps in food safety regulations and underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight to prevent such tragedies in the future. The community remains in shock as health officials and law enforcement work to address the fallout from this adulterated milk scandal.
